On the evening of Thursday, 30 October 2025, the Czech-Australian-New Zealand Association (CANZA), in collaboration with Australian Business in Europe (ABIE), hosted an exclusive networking dinner under the theme “Experience Australia – Italo Style.” The event took place at Osteria Unico e Caffè in Horoměřice, one of the most acclaimed Italian restaurants in the Prague region, renowned for its creative cuisine by Chef Davide Lagomarsino and his Czech wife, Karolína Lagomarsino.

A Fusion of Cultures and Flavours

The dinner brought together Australians living in the Czech Republic, Czechs who had once emigrated to Australia, and friends of Australia and New Zealand from business, culture, and diplomacy. Among the principal organisers were Richard York and his wife Karin York. Richard York, an Australian who met his Czech wife while studying in Australia, is widely recognised as an expert connoisseur of the international gastronomic scene, with deep knowledge of fine dining not only in Prague but across the world. Their charm, professionalism, and cross-cultural insight gave the evening its distinctive warmth and authenticity.

Chef Lagomarsino, who lived in Australia for more than 15 years, prepared a four-course degustation menu that elegantly combined Ligurian tradition with influences from his time in Sydney. Each dish reflected a meeting of continents – Mediterranean craftsmanship enhanced by modern Australian creativity.

Paired with the menu was a superb selection of Australian and New Zealand wines: a sparkling brut from South Australia to open, a crisp Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, and three outstanding reds from both sides of the Tasman Sea. The wines, carefully chosen for the occasion, embodied the evening’s transcontinental spirit.

Bridging Communities through Taste and Conversation

Guests gathered on the restaurant’s terrace beneath a soft autumn sky, where the first glasses were raised in celebration of friendship and cooperation. Representatives of CANZA and ABIE welcomed the guests, highlighting the organisations’ shared mission to strengthen Czech-Australasian relations in business, education, and culture.

In his short address, Richard York emphasised the unifying power of gastronomy and hospitality: “Good food and good conversation are universal languages that bring people together,” he said, to warm applause from the audience.

The evening also served as an informal forum for building connections between entrepreneurs, professionals, and members of the diplomatic community. Many of those present shared stories of their experiences in both countries – from the beaches of Sydney to the cobbled streets of Prague – united by a sense of openness and mutual respect.

An Australian-Kiwi Spirit in Italian Ambience

Inside Osteria Unico, guests enjoyed a journey through flavours: delicate antipasti, handmade pasta, a perfectly cooked seafood course, and an exquisite dessert finale. The cuisine, accompanied by soft Italian jazz and impeccable service, embodied Chef Lagomarsino’s philosophy of combining Italian heart, Australian creativity, and Czech precision.

As the evening drew to a close, dessert and espresso gave way to further conversation; what had been planned as a formal dinner turned into a joyful gathering that lasted long into the night.

A Celebration of Friendship and Future Collaboration

The “Experience Australia – Italo Style” Dinner 2025 was more than an evening of fine dining — it was a testament to the enduring and evolving friendship between Czechia, Australia, and New Zealand. With CANZA and ABIE as organisers and the Yorks as hosts, the event symbolised how cultural diplomacy can thrive in an atmosphere of warmth, good taste, and shared experience.

Looking ahead, both organisations plan to expand their programme of events in 2026, including themed dinners, wine tastings, and cultural salons that celebrate the best of Australasian spirit in the heart of Europe. With Osteria Unico and its talented hosts, Davide and Karolína Lagomarsino, Prague has truly found the perfect stage for this vibrant community.